Presence My presence makes a difference I am not just here for show Nor just to make up the numbers I am here to help us grow My involvement has a purpose I intend to play my part I’m not here to be the periphery My place is at the heart My words can make […]
Read full text
Tune: Williams, ‘Yes God is good’ Do you bring peace, will your peace last? Do you bring justice to this place? Do you bring hope when all is lost? Do we respond and share your grace? Do you plant seeds on barren land? Do you bring wine to quench our thirst? Do you speak words […]
Read full text
Witness, hymn by Sam Goodman, UK hymnist Tune: Go tell it on the mountain Chorus Breathe life into our witness Guide us in ways that share your message Rescue with your forgiveness And hold us safe in your love Remind us we are cherished Revive our very souls Restore us in your image Redeem us, […]
Read full text
Shepherding hymn Tune: St Clement – The day though gavest Be with us in ways that wrap us in communion Unite us to be your church once more While we are apart bring us closer together In ways that your justice and mercy restore Be always beside us, your word speaks to guide us A […]
Read full text
Tune: Slane, an old Irish folk tune (Be thou my vision). You can listen here. Try it out a couple times, as the words do fit beautifully. Come to us in worship Bring us closer to you And as our voices rise Your love shines through Your gifts to us encourage Your power makes […]
Read full text
Tune: Hereford A voice for the voiceless A promise of forgiveness A chance to be A people of blessing A call to share love that God richly gives so freely A love that encompasses A world that needs its healing A voice in the darkness To shine a light on visions That show us the […]
Read full text
Based on the tune of St Clement – ‘The day though gavest’ Be with us in ways that wrap us in communion Unite us to be your church once more While we are apart bring us closer together In ways that your justice and mercy restore Be always beside us your word speaks to guide […]
Read full text
Tune – Monk (All things bright and beautiful) Chorus Take our lives to live for you In ways that serve and bless Loving Christ in all we do In all our lives confess Lead us where we are needed To show your love is true In all things let us witness How great love comes […]
Read full text
Bless Our Friends, Bless our Food Tune: Edelweiss This sung blessing has been hanging in the dining room of University Church, Chicago, since before 1968 when I moved there. The lyrics have been altered slightly to be inclusive (changes are in italics). Bless our friends, bless our food, Come, Great Love and sit with us. […]
Read full text
Tune: Lobe den Herren ‘Praise to the Lord’ Bring us your peace Wrap us gently in love that can calm us Save us from fear And protect us from hurts that can harm us And as you heal Show us your mercy is real Live in our hearts and refresh us Bring us your hope […]
Read full text
Ready-to-print music: God, The Soaring Eagle, music God, the soaring eagle, God, the mother hen, Architect and potter, shelter, shield and sun, Comforting the people others have condemned: You of many names, you nameless one: All our words of praise have just begun. God the gentle shepherd, God the mighty king, Crying out in […]
Read full text
Tune: In Christ alone You are my rock, safe and secure All that I treasure comes from you When others fade, you will endure Your promises are always true Chorus From where I stand, from what I know You are my strength, you are my guide Wherever I am called to go Your love will […]
Read full text
For lives cut short, no time or space to grieve; for saints and servants you have now received; for all who still bear witness and believe: O Love, have mercy. O Love, have mercy. For those oppressed and trampled by the state; for systems built by centuries of hate; for justice now — no longer […]
Read full text
A new copyright-free song and video from poet Lucy Berry. A song written in Covid-19 lockdown offering comfort for times of trouble. Piano music and guitar chords for down-load: ‘Lean on me’ music Click here for the video and soundtrack, ready to use for on-line worship. And God said: “Lean On Me” 1. It seems […]
Read full text
Tune: Nettleton 8787D — John Wyeth, Repository of Sacred Music, Part II, 1813 We are gathered in the Spirit though our bodies are apart, Filled with joy and touched with wonder, separate hands but mingled hearts Giving thanks and singing praises for the love that calls us on. From our many different places we are […]
Read full text
New words to an old tent-meeting revival hymn Softly and tenderly Jesus is calling Calling for you and for me Walking his pathway toward joy and compassion Calling for you and for me Come home, come home You who are weary come home; Earnestly, tenderly Jesus is calling, Calling, “Dear searcher, come home” Leave behind […]
Read full text
Let me walk in love beside you All along life’s dusty road Hearing, knowing every burden Let me help to share your load Wounds and pain arise to rob us Of a love community Guard me from a self-importance Seeing you as less than me Let me rise and risk for justice Walk a mile […]
Read full text
Tune: Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing , by J. Wyeth 1813 God, I know you as a spirit Blowing through me like a wind You are the spirit of the water You are the source, you are the end God, I know you as a mother Giving birth to all I am But I […]
Read full text
Creator God, your love abounds forever; Creation’s beauty fills the earth and sky. Your shining stars, the universe expanding, Amazing power, creation does display. Chorus: Creator God, we lift our song to you, How great your love, how great your love. (repeat) When through the veld and grassy plains we wander, we hear the birds, […]
Read full text
Tune: Russian Hymn For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. This wondrous universe tells of God’s glory, Endless in space and forever in time; We are astonished when we contemplate its story We have a place in this myst’ry sublime. This planet’s destiny, life in its beauty Rests with the choices we […]
Read full text
This children’s message was initially incorporated into a Songs of Praise service in which several church members (of all ages) chose a favourite hymn and shared why it is special to them. Download a ready-to-use script: Children’s message – Karl Barth & music PDF Children’s message – Karl Barth & music WORD Lectionary links This […]
Read full text
With praise and elation Tune: To God be the glory For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. With praise and elation we greet the Divine In beauty of love that we just can’t define; The mystery is wondrous; it captures our soul; It gives our life purpose; it makes us feel whole. Praise […]
Read full text
We gather in this place Tune Crimond For the lyrics, music and a power point, click here. We gather in this place today To hear a word we need; From Jesus’ teaching we gain strength; We listen. We take heed. We come with open hearts and minds To hear a word we need; To sing […]
Read full text
Come now, O Creator Spirit, come, our hearts and souls inspire Raise up your church, baptised in water and with fire. So each may take their place, Sharing your love and grace, Sent forth, guided ever by the cross, to serve as you desire. 2.Come now, in the laying on of hands, your servants to […]
Read full text
Tune: “All Hail the Power of Jesus’ Name”, Coronation C.M. Words by Jim Burklo (use freely with attribution) We praise you, God, with rousing song, we answer at your call Your Word creates the universe, We praise you, God of all Your Word creates the universe, We praise you, God of all […]
Read full text
Written by David while he served as Co-ordinator for the Isle of Wight Street Pastors, this song was inspired by an interaction with a young man on the streets of Ryde. This video recording might be played as an integral part of a worship service.
Read full text
Tune: Gonfalon Royal Originally written for Stephen’s ordination service. We find ourselves between two worlds, In one we live, for one we hope To risk their fusion is our call, Achieved through love, which welcomes all. Achieved through love, which welcomes all, Which bends and breaks and mends again, The source of all; and yet […]
Read full text
(use freely with attribution) Tune: Madrid 6.6.6.6 – “Come Christians, Join to Sing” Watch mountain shadows run Allelujia! Amen! Clouds gilded by the sun Allelujia! Amen! Hear tumbling water sing Birds calling on the wing In canyons echoing Allelujia! Amen! Breathe in the desert air Allelujia! Amen! Let footsteps call to prayer Allelujia! Amen! Layers […]
Read full text
The Second Coming of Christ – written for Pentecost Tune: Church Triumphant For the lyrics, music and a power point click here Our Lord, our teacher, healer, friend, The One whose love shall never end, Back years ago he lived his life When times were harsh, in days of strife. We look for signs of his […]
Read full text
Old words, familiar words, the sung doxology lives in the hearts and on the tongues of many Christians. The most familiar English version was written by the 17th-century Anglican bishop and hymnwriter, Thomas Ken. I’ve heard several modern versions which alter the language to be inclusive and relevant to modern worshippers. Here are some variations on the theme… […]
Read full text